Music

Lower the brow: Stix Zadinia of Steel Panther

September 27th, 2017

In 2010, local hero Andrea Anderson and I went to the House of Blues in L.A. with a couple of friends. We were told we were seeing a “joke metal band.”

My most vivid memory of that night was being enraged at PBR being $10 per can; second to that was laughing my ass off in between bursts of this “joke” band nailing Van Halen, Iron Maiden and Judas Priest songs like they’d written the songs themselves.

My memory gets fuzzy after that. But I sort of remember two shirtless women…

Read more...


​Experiencing altered states at the orchestra

September 20th, 2017

Fall is arriving, and that of course means that the new season of the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra’s “Masterworks” series sponsored by Sanford Health is right around the corner.

In the last couple concert seasons they have performed some truly gala events, with many universally recognized and occasionally bombastic pieces, such as Orff’s “Carmina Burana” or Rossini’s “William Tell Overture,” that were bound to delight both newcomers and regular concertgoers.

This…

Read more...


Oasis of doom

September 20th, 2017

When you disembark from the plane in Vegas, the first thing you encounter is slot machines.

The airport is a strange combination of a sh*tty casino and an overpriced mall. As you stand and wait for your $13 whopper you begin to notice the stream of outsiders filtering in -- every 15 minutes, a consistent flow of tourists from all around the globe, with dollars in their pockets, looking to make their fortune.

The next thing you notice is the oppressive, crushing weight of the heat. Being…

Read more...


​Feeling the Heat: Lutheran Heat at Sidestreet

September 13th, 2017

Minneapolis-based rock and rollers are turning up the heat, that is to say Lutheran Heat. The band consists of Garth Blomberg on guitar and vocals; Sara Pette, guitar and vocals; Matt Engelstad, bass and vocals; and Justin Nelles on drums. Though hailing from the Twin Cities, Blomberg and Nelles are no strangers to the F-M music scene.

High Plains Reader: Where did the name Lutheran Heat come from? Second--Do you get any heat from the Lutherans on your name?

Matt Engelstad: Dave (Dave…

Read more...


​Genres collide at KRFF benefit

September 6th, 2017

I’m sure you’ve noticed that I write my fair share of articles about the music scene in Fargo-Moorhead. It is my honest opinion that many people don’t realize what an awesome music scene we have in this town. There was a time I didn’t, to be frank.

If there are people as much if not more devoted to promoting the local music scene, they’re certainly the DJs at KRFF. Recently I had the opportunity to interview Martin Beckman, who DJs “Locals on the 8” and “Thursday Night…

Read more...


​New Track City leaves you wanting more and more

September 6th, 2017

On September 9, The Aquarium will erupt with the sounds of New Track City, Federal Way Washington’s very own hip-hop trio that produces their signature sound with a convergence of Jazz, Soul and Alternative. With Bem and Chi.Stone rapping and Dru on the beats, New Track City Brings the heat.

The Washington trio lays everything out on the table, and lets the chips fall where they may. Their all-in mentality produces an original sound that is clearly represented with their two online…

Read more...


​The power of Yes

September 6th, 2017

Geoff Downes on the evolution of Yes

Since its inception in 1968 prog rock pioneers Yes have been breaking boundaries with complex soundscapes and experimental sounds, and their oeuvre has been constantly evolving. High Plains Reader had the opportunity to chat with Geoff Downes vocalist and keyboardist for Yes. Downes joined the band in 1980.

High Plains Reader: Is it true that you broke a Guinness World Record by playing 28 keyboards on stage?

Geoff Downes: I did that once in 1983 at a…

Read more...


Something to talk about with Bonnie Raitt

August 30th, 2017

Raitt on her blues beginnings and activist roots

Rated one of the top 100 guitarists of all time in 2015 and top 100 singers of all time in 2010 by Rolling Stone and with 45 years in the business, Bonnie Raitt is definitely giving ‘em, something to talk about.

High Plains Reader: You found your musical roots at an early age--can you tell us about that? 

Bonnie Raitt: I grew up in a very musical family. My dad was a Broadway leading man and Broadway star. He created the role of Billy…

Read more...


​Bringing the big band sound to Fargo

August 23rd, 2017

The “big band” is truly ubiquitous in the United States. Ever since the jazz-influenced genre of music first appeared and had its peak popularity in the 1930s and 1940s, it has stuck around, even having a resurgence in the 1990s and still being listened to this day.

No matter the musical innovations that come and go, we always seem to to return to the big band. Perhaps it’s because it is such a traditionally and uniquely American musical tradition, perhaps because it calls to mind…

Read more...


Eddie Spaghetti of The Supersuckers on the state of rock n’ roll

August 9th, 2017

Formed in 1988, The Supersuckers have gained the moniker of being “the greatest rock n’ roll band in the world.” In 2015 lead singer/bassist Eddie Spaghetti was diagnosed with stage 3 oropharynx cancer. Thankfully he conquered it and is currently back in the ol’ rock n’ roll saddle. HPR had the opportunity to speak with the frontman: how did his illness affected his songwriting, Seattle in the 90s, and the current state of rock n’ roll?

High Plains Reader: How did your…

Read more...


Tracker Pixel for Entry Hjemkomst Tracker Pixel for Entry 7Clans Tracker Pixel for Entry MidwestRoadTripAdventures

Recently in:

By Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.comDairy Queen restaurants across the country will raise funds for Children’s Miracle Network hospitals during Miracle Treat Day on Thursday, July 31. At least one dollar from every Blizzard…

By Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.comFM Pride Week returns to the Fargo-Moorhead metro August 3-10. A snapshot of events are listed below. Discover event descriptions and locations as well as volunteer opportunities online at…

August 28, 6-8 p.m.Plains Art Museum, 704 1st Ave. N., Fargo See this major exhibition firsthand and hear about Rimer Cardillo’s work from the artist himself at 7 p.m. Cardillo is an internationally renowned multidisciplinary…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com I’m going to go ahead and say it. I have trust issues with a lot of things and artificial intelligence (AI) is one of them. Yes, it’s a tool that can sit shotgun and make your everyday tasks…

By Ed Raymondfargogadfly@gmail.comTrump: the new man for all seasonsFive hundred years ago, Lord Chancellor Sir Thomas More of England refused to write a letter to Pope Clement VII of the Roman Catholic Church asking that he annul…

By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com Holiday wine shopping shouldn’t have to be complicated. But unfortunately it can cause unneeded anxiety due to an overabundance of choices. Don’t fret my friends, we once again have you covered…

By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com There seems to be a renaissance in Italian restaurants in the Fargo-Moorhead metro area. It’s a welcome change from just sporting an Olive Garden as a lone option. No offense to Marilyn Hagerty’s…

By John Showalterjohn.d.showalter@gmail.com Bluegrass is a genre of music that is often associated with the American South. Many people would express incredulity at being told there is a thriving bluegrass and folk music community…

By Greg Carlsongregcarlson1@gmail.com There are so many memorable moments in the short life of musician Jeff Buckley that filmmaker Amy J. Berg could easily have gotten lost in an endless highlight reel. The veteran documentarian,…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com 2025 marks three years of the Annual Vergas Area Backroads Art Crawl. The art crawl is sponsored by the Vergas Arts Club. The Arts Club also happens to be part of the Vegas Community Club and both…

Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.comPenn & Teller are returning to their roots. The legendary magic and comedy duo will appear on the Crown Stage at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival in Shakopee, Minnesota, where they first…

By Annie Prafckeannieprafcke@gmail.com AUSTIN, Texas – As a Chinese-American, connecting to my culture through food is essential, and no dish brings me back to my mother’s kitchen quite like hotdish. Yes, you heard me right –…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comNew Jamestown Brewery Serves up Local FlavorThere’s something delicious brewing out here on the prairie and it just so happens to be the newest brewery west of the Red River and east of the…

By Dr. Marc Sapir, MD, MPHjessica@pellienpublicrelations.com Across America, families are quietly struggling with a rising challenge: how to care for aging parents, siblings, grandparents, neighbors and friends. Most seniors want…

By Alicia Underlee NelsonProtests against President Trump’s policies and the cuts made by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are planned across North Dakota and western Minnesota Friday, April 4 and…

By Vern Thompsonvern.thompson@rocketmail.com Working in the Bakken oil fields of the Williston Basin is so different from my home in Fargo. I'm not judging, because the people working and living in western North Dakota are very…